The Civil Rights Movement during the 1960’s reminds us of large demonstrations and moving speeches by Dr. Martin Luther King. Most people have not heard of the struggles that black children endured during the Civil Rights Movement.

This month The City of Santa Clarita will host “Freedom Child: The Civil Rights Children’s 1963 ‘Bombingham'” on Sunday, February 21 at 2 p.m. as part of the City’s Season of Diversity program. The event will be held at the Valencia Library and will feature an informative performance highlighting the Civil Rights Movement.

“Freedom Child” will recall the life of Dr. Bernadette McAllister, a woman who at the age of 13 took part in the 1963 “Children’s Crusade,” held in Birmingham, Alabama in response to Civil Rights issues. More than 1,000 African-American children participated in the historic demonstration, singing “We Shall Overcome” while being arrested and taken to jail.

“The City’s Season of Diversity Program is dedicated to eliminating racism in all forms through education and promoting understanding and appreciation of human differences,” said Mayor Laurene Weste. “The Freedom Child event helps give insight into an important historical and cultural event not only in the Civil Rights Movement, but American history as a whole.”

A Season of Diversity is made possible in part by the City’s Human Relations Forum. The program offers a safe and supportive way for local youth to learn about and cope with issues in a multicultural world.

For more information on “Freedom Child” and A Season of Diversity, contact the City’s Human Relations Forum at (661) 250-3708 or visit santa-clarita.com/humanrelationsforum